performance = a sales presentation?

[nedgerhart]

Do you think that a musician giving a performance can be compared to a salesman trying to sell you a something?

When you perform at a recital or somewhere, don't you try to play "convincingly"? It seems to me that getting the audience to "buy" your performance is much the same as the salesman trying to sell you on his product. And what does your audience get when they are buying what you hold out for them? Do spend much time thinking about what kind of value you offer for price your listeners pay? Even when the ticket is free, listeners are giving their time. Finally, what is the worst possible mistake for a performer? Fatigue or boredom in the audience?

[m1469]

I suppose this, for me, is an analogy more than anything else right now.  I am not ready to say that it is all about "sales" (although I am actually quite interested in sales in general), maybe primarily because salespeople get such a bad rap (and sometimes for very good reasons).

Take realtors, for example.  Some of them have the motto to put in as little effort as possible (afterall, why waste the energy ?).  They don't do proper research on the house and they don't care whether the home is truly suitable to the needs of the buyer... and they don't care on behalf of the homeowner whether or not the sale was at a fair price (even if they are actually representing the homeowner).  This type of realtor is interested in two things and two things only : Self-preservation and Commissions.

Another type of salesperson still cares about those two things, but realizes that putting the customer first will ultimately serve even their own self, better.  They take the time that is needed in dealing with the customers, and they never make it seem as though they are bothered to take that time.  They truly want the customer to be satisfied, and that matters first.  A good realtor knows that the right house will sell itself when the benefits of owning that house are apparent to the buyer.  And an honest realtor does not try to pull the wool over anybody's eyes (and they don't have to because they would only sell something that they believe suits the customer's wants and needs).

If by performing I were ultimately a salesperson, I personally would ultimately have to deeply believe in the product itself to try to convince somebody to purchase the product in the first place.   I will not stand behind a product that I do not believe sells itself once its attributes and benefits are recognized.  So, my job is not really to "sell" anything, but to search for and then find what is worth buying, and then present those attributes in such a way that the product sells itself. 

Perhaps it's the difference between simply telling somebody there is a beautiful pearl inside of a closed oyster, and then using every tactic to convince the customer to purchase the oyster, versus opening the oyster and presenting to the customer, the actual pearl.  Something like that anyway. 

If the customer wants a beautiful pearl, and I present to them a beautiful pearl, what more have I really got to do ?  Maybe overly simplistic, but that's the basic idea.

What's more is that a product brings with it an experience.  And that's actually the whole point behind it.  So, a person can work to merely sell a product, or they can sell the experience too.  And ultimately, it's the experience that the customer wants to be convinced of and buy.  For example, if I were selling power blenders (*drool*), I would sell the kind of lifestyle a person might have by purchasing this product.  Saves time in preparation, operation, and cleanup (more time for other things).  Great for smoothies (keeps you fit and slim) etc..

So, perhaps during a performance, music is the product.   But what the customer gets from the purchase is actually an experience.  The experiences can be extremely varied, and will be, at least somewhat, between each individual (even within the same audience).  Ultimately, what I believe in about this product is the experience of 'freedom'.  That word, of course, has many layers... but that's the bottom line for me, and that's what I want for me and my "customers". 

And when we experience freedom together during a concert, I don't have to "sell" anything... because freedom rings loudly within each individual all on its own, and ultimately, freedom sells itself.


m1469

[bennom]

Do you think that a musician giving a performance can be compared to a salesman trying to sell you a something?

When you perform at a recital or somewhere, don't you try to play "convincingly"? It seems to me that getting the audience to "buy" your performance is much the same as the salesman trying to sell you on his product. And what does your audience get when they are buying what you hold out for them? Do spend much time thinking about what kind of value you offer for price your listeners pay? Even when the ticket is free, listeners are giving their time. Finally, what is the worst possible mistake for a performer? Fatigue or boredom in the audience?

Yes, we try to play convincingly.

No, we are not salesmen.

If you are in the audience and you are bored, then leave, right ahead.

Artist should try to convince, but according to their own beliefs. Salesmen are trying to sell, but they are willing to change opinion/conviction etc depending on what the potential buyer wants.

Artists should be strong and unwilling to change their CREDO.

Finally, what is the worst possible mistake for a performer?
Answer: ingratiation.

In my humble and unchangeable opinion/

BennoM

[donjuan]

i think this is a hard one to answer, because performing musicians tend to be slaves to music... that is, when the theatre wants someone to play Bach's D minor Concerto, you have to play it.  No exceptions- any bit of "wouldn't you rather.." and you're out of a job.  Do what people tell you to do and make sure the performance isnt you're last. 

On the other hand, who wants to listen to a pushover play piano?  it's a fine balance.

[timothy42b]

I don't know if sales is the right analogy, but I do think you need to consider the audience important.

Music is communication, and that takes two parties.  If you are only performing, without aiming at the receiving party, you are missing half the essence.